Prenatal Screenings
New OB Patient Labs (First Visit)

As a new obstetrics patient, we screen for many things that could affect the health of your baby including infection and and total blood count.  We also provide a Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening at this time. 

 

Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening

  • determines your risk for carrying an altered gene that can cause Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
  • determines your risk for passing this gene on to your child
  • determines your child's risk of having CF if both you and your partner are screened
 

A negative screen means that

  • none of the common CF gene changes were found in your blood sample
  • you're much less likely to pass an altered CF gene on to your child
  • you're much less likely to have a child with CF

A positive screen means that

  • you are a CF carrier
  • you might pass the altered CF gene on to your child
  • your child might have CF if your partner also is a carrier

 

Information provided by Quest Diagnostics, the laboratory testing company of our practice.

 

 
Nuchal Translucency/Nasal Bone (Given around 12 Weeks of Pregnancy)
NT/NB is an ultrasound exam that is performed in-office on a highly advanced ultrasound machine.  This non-invasive screening is performed around 12 weeks of pregnancy and is used to detect a heightened risk for genetic birth defects including Down syndrome and trisomy 18. 

The ultrasound measures the thickness of the fluid at the back of the baby's neck as well as the presence of the baby's nasal bone.  An increased thickness at the neck and/or an underdeveloped nasal bone may suggest a heightened risk for birth defects.

 

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that all pregnant women, regardless of their age, be offered screening for Down syndrome.  Our practice follows these recommendations.  This screening is available to all obstetrics patients regardless of age or medical and family history. 

 

Depending upon the results of the NT ultrasound exam, further lab work and/or ultrasound(s) may be ordered.

 
Maternal Alpha Fetal Protein Penta Screen (Given between 15 and 22 Weeks of Pregnancy)

This screen leads to the detection of:

  • 82% of Down syndrome cases
  • 60% of trisomy 18 cases
  • 80% of open neural tube defects
 
What if my result is "screen negative?"
A "screen negative" means that it is unlikely your baby has Down syndrome, trisomy 18, or a neural tube defect.  But, a negative screen does not guarantee a healthy baby.
What if my result is "screen positive?"
If yor result is "screen positive," it means that your baby has an increased risk of having Down syndrome, trisomy 18, or a neural tube defect.  It does not mean that your baby definitely has one of the these disorders.  In fact, the baby does not have these conditions in the majority of cases.  Your doctos can help you understand the risk and explain the additional tests that may be recommended. 

 

Information provided by Quest Diagnostics, the laboratory testing company of our practice.

 
Gestational Diabetes (28 Weeks of Pregnancy)

Our practice tests for Gestational Diabetes and other helpful information at 28 weeks of pregnancy.  A Glucose Tolerance Test is given at this time. 

 

 
Please note:  Additional testing may be requested by your physician due to family history, medical conditions, or other factors. 
 
The information on this website is for your non-commercial use. Please reference any information used from this site to Contemporary OB/GYN of Western Kentucky, P.S.C . This material is purely informational. Please do not consider the materials as medical advice or medical opinion for your condition. Consult your physician before making any decisions based on this information.

Main Office: 2601 Kentucky Avenue • Doctors Bldg. 1, Suite 103
Ultrasound & Fetal Monitoring Center: 2602 Kentucky Avenue • Doctors Building 2, Suite 200
Benton, KY Office: Marshall Co. Hospital • 503 George McClain Drive
270-444-9199 (All Locations)

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